Primeval: New World: 106 “Clean Up On Aisle Three” Review

February 14, 2013

0300

Reviewed by David Selby.

It has to be said, there’s not a huge amount to say about this one. In terms of storytelling, it has a simple (but arguably effective) premise, strong but slight characterization, and very little of the ‘classic’ Primeval facets. That’s not to say that it’s bad as such, but the focus seemed to be more like a soap opera rather than a sci-fi show.

In terms of setting, the home and garden store kept filming relatively undemanding and budgeting low, but still made for an interesting new Anomaly siting; a maze, if you will, of household appliances, where the crafty little creatures can kill off innocent humans unnoticed.

The Daemonosaurus were a lot less dangerous that last week’s horrific prehistoric canines, but made up for their lacking strength with intelligence. The build-up to the proper encounter was very tense and keeping the dinosaurs in the shadows made a change to the typical ‘in-your-face’ characteristics we’re all used to.

The episode once again took a darker turn as it progressed; the macabre fate of the security guard and its implications springing to mind here. It’s a very poignant scene and shows how distressed Mac is. Mac (Danny Rahim), in fact, shows a whole new uncompromising and somewhat scary side to himself that I’d doubt he’d be capable of. His belligerence towards the dinosaurs is largely uncalled for, and actually made me feel a lot less sympathy than I did before, but it’s clear that he’s psychologically damaged by Sam’s death, and is evidently struggling to cope with his emotions. Mac could also end up seriously damaging the chain of evolution if he continues with his ‘killing spree’ on primordial animals.

The most interesting part of the episode for me, and I’m sure many others, was how Angelika (Miranda Frigon) and Ken (Geoff Gustafson) were built on. Angelika was given more depth, and became less and less like the tyrannical executive she’d been made out to be before – in fact, I’d go as far as saying that she was almost like the audience surrogate this week. She had a very compelling story which really stemmed from her love for Evan (Niall Matter) and her craving devotion from him, and was made even more likable by her shocking juxtaposition to Ken, who is becoming more and more repulsive every week, as the man who makes ‘dead people go away’. But Angelika’s subplot meant that The New World was once again not just a show about ‘busting dinosaurs’, but also about love, sadness, and some large moral dilemmas. I’m very curious to see how both characters develop.

Finally, I really enjoyed the ending. As well as the charming variation on the theme tune, Evan’s need for Angelika finally allowed him to get over his wife’s death, beginning a new relationship with her, which, giving as this is a TV show, will probably go horribly wrong later in the series. (And before I stop, although this isn’t the fault of the program, the adverts are driving me mad. They’re always placed right in the middle of the action and completely ruin the ambiance. As well as complaining about it, I’m certainly going to be buying the box-set so that I can watch them without interruptions!)

Overall verdict: 8/10

Whilst excelling in what it did do well, this one felt rather bland in parts, and underused a lot of Primeval’s main features. Despite this, it was a refreshing change on what we’ve been given before, and a superb character piece.

Thank you for putting this up, as ever. All (friendly) comments are welcome. Feedback is similarly appreciated.

http://thetardismatrix.weebly.com/ Esterath

I’ve actually not seen a single episode of this! Don’t know what channel its on. I’ll just wait for the box set.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiyZ1KPMTM TheGenie

It’s on Watch, but I’d recommend waiting for the boxset. Did you see the original series?

http://thetardismatrix.weebly.com/ Esterath

Yeah, loved it. S1 and S2 were the best!

Nova Doctor

Its on Watch but I think if your desperate for catch up its on you-tube.

Calebxy

I did like this episode, but I hated how overly gory it was. My favourite so far is still the Terror Bird one, and my second favourite is the first episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiyZ1KPMTM TheGenie

I don’t think it was ‘overly gory’. I’ve definitely seen a lot worse.

Personally, those you mention are my least favourite:

1. Fear of Flying
2. Undone
3. Clean up on Aisle Three
4. Sisiutl
5. Angry Birds
6. The New World

Calebxy

It was overly gory for a program which is presumably meant to be rated 12, not 15.

We have such different tastes. :P

1. The New World
2. Angry Birds
3. Undone
4. Clean up on Aisle Three
5. Sisiutl
6. Fear of Flying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiyZ1KPMTM TheGenie

Actually The New World is a 15, not a 12.

Calebxy

Well, I’d certainly hope so, considering. Though I would much prefer it if it was made to be a 12, like Primeval was.

Nova Doctor

Nice to see you enjoyed this one a bit,I have to wait till its released on DVD to watch it because I’m currently catching up on previous series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiyZ1KPMTM TheGenie

Oh yeah – how far have you got?

http://www.facebook.com/kieran.angove Kieran Wieran Angove

you can always buy the series on itunes. that is what i have done. i get the series as and when they come available, which is normally about one, mabye two ish the next morning. it is really early, and it has no breaks, nor does it contain the next time part at the end, so it doesnt have any spoilers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiyZ1KPMTM TheGenie

I could do, but to my knowledge I can’t get that on my TV, and I generally despise watching programs off of a computer. But thanks for the help anyway.